Glide assembly

ABSTRACT

An assembly for permitting self-locomotion by the wearer of a walking-type leg cast by a sliding movement, rather than by walking. The assembly includes: a retainer of material of a high coefficient of friction, with at least one aperture, affixed to the foot-bottom of the leg cast; and at least one glide insert of material of a low coefficient of friction, configurated in the form of cylinders of different diameters, with the narrower diameter end inserted into the aperture and the wider diameter end protruding a short distance from the retainer.

United States Patent FOREIGN PATENTS 177,216 1954 Austria PrimaryExaminer Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-J. Yasko Attorneysl-larryA. Herbert, Jr. and Arsen Tashjian ABSTRACT: An assembly for permittingself-locomotion by the wearer of a walking-type leg cast by a slidingmovement, rather than by walking. The assembly includes: a retainer ofmaterial of a high coefficient of friction, with at least one aperture,affixed to the foot-bottom of the leg cast; and at least one glideinsert of material of a low coefficient of friction, configurated in theform of cylinders of different diameters, with the narrower diameter endinserted into the aperture and the wider diameter end protruding a shortdistance from the retainer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an assembly forpermitting the wearer of a walking-type cast, or of an orthopedic shoe,or the like, to slideably engage his encased foot with the floor and,thereby, allow him easier locomotion. More particularly, the inventionrelates to an assembly which includes glide inserts of low coefficientof friction material which are inserted into, and are removable from,apertures in a retainer of high coefficient of friction material, withthe assembly adaptable for use as the heel assembly or sole assemblyaffixed to the foot-bottom of a walking leg cast, or as the principalcomponent of an orthopedic shoe, and the like.

It is to be noted that the terms walking-type leg cast, walking legcast," walking cast, and cast as used above and as hereinafter used, areintended, for the purpose of this application, to be synonymous andinterchangeable, and are also intended to include a foot cast, an anklecast, and the like. What is meant by use of any of the above terms ortheir equivalents is that at least the foot, but not necessarily thetoes, is immobilized in a conventional plaster cast having, in whole orin part, a base or bottom serving as a sole.

In the prior art, individuals having a cast-bound foot moved under theirown power by lifting the foot up and then lowering it, in a walkingmotion, thereby placing their full weight on the foot and the cast.Alternatively, they used canes and crutches of various modified forms toassist them in moving under their own power. In doing so, they favoredthe encased foot by placing all or most of their weight on the otherfoot and on the cane or crutches used, with resultant strain on theother foot, on the hand grasping the cane, and, in using crutches, onthe hands grasping the crutch, the arms, and the armpits. The artadvanced substantially with the advent and the use of a floorengageablepeg at the foot-bottom of the cast, since the user of such a walkingcast could walk in many instances without the use of canes or crutches,by lifting and then lowering his foot, with the weight being placed onthe peg. However, despite the availability and use of canes, crutches,floor-engageable pegs, and other prior and present art devices, theindividual who sustains a foot, ankle or leg break or fracture whichrequires allows or requires a walking-type cast is, at best, in theunfortunate position of being able to move under his own power only withstrain, resultant fatigue, great inconvenience, and some lack of safety,with the degree of these distinct disadvantages increasing with thelength and weight of the cast.

Our invention significantly advances the state of the art by permittingindividuals who have a cast-bound foot to move with a sliding motion,rather than a walking motion, with the sliding being much easier, lessawkward, less fatiguing and relatively safer than walking; and, inaddition, our invention promotes recovery, principally by minimizingweight-bearing on the cast-bound foot, and thereby permits the earlierreturn of the individual to his normal activities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to means for permittingself-locomotion by the wearer of a walking-type leg cast by sliding,rather than by walking, with said means being readily adaptable for useas a heel assembly of the walking-type cast, the platform or soleassembly of such a cast, and as the principal component of an orthopedicshoe, and the like.

An object of this invention is to permit an individual wearing awalking-type leg cast, or having a cast-bound foot, or wearing anorthopedic shoe or the like, to move under his own power by sliding hisencased foot along the floor.

Another object of this invention is to permit the individual toaccomplish the above-described self-locomotion with much more ease, muchless fatigue, and in a relatively safer manner than is possible withpast or present state of the art devices.

These objects, and still other and related ones, of this invention willbecome readily apparent after a consideration of the description of theinvention and reference to the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevation view, partly incross section, of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is the bottom view of another preferred embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view, in cross section, of the embodimentshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is the bottom view of still another preferred embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view, in cross section, of the embodimentshown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is the bottom view of yet another preferred embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view, partly in cross section, of theembodiment shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view, in cross section, of still yet anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to FIG. 1, thereis shown, in side elevation and partly in cross section a preferredembodiment in the form of a heel assembly 10 which includes afloor-engageable glide insert 11 of material having a low coefficient offriction (i.e., having good sliding properties), such as a durableplastic material which additionally can be easily fabricated and molded,preferably nylon or teflon, with said glide insert II securely insertedor fitted into, but removable from, suitably configurated aperture 12 ofheel 13, which is of material of a high coefficient of friction,preferably rubber, and with said heel 13 having a serrated base 14 and alip or flange 15. Also shown therein is walking cast 16 with wall 17 andbase or bottom 18. The lower surface of lip 15 of heel assembly 10 abutsthe upper surface of cast wall 17; and heel assembly 10 is made integralto cast 16, with heel l3 and glide insert 11 protruding from the bottomof cast 16.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein the same reference numbers designate the samecomponents, is shown another embodiment, heel assembly 20, in,respectively, a bottom view and a side elevation cross-sectional view.Heel assembly 20 includes floor-engageable glide inserts 21 and 22 ofmaterial having a low coefficient of friction (i.e., having good slidingproperties), such as a durable plastic material which additionally canbe easily fabricated and molded, preferably nylon or teflon, with saidglide inserts 21 and 22 securely inserted into or fitted into, butremovable from, suitably configurated apertures 23 and 24, respectively,of heel 25, which is of material of a high coefficient of friction,preferably rubber, and with said heel 25 having a serrated base 26 and alip or flange 27. Not shown, in the interest of maintaining simplicityand clarity, is the walking cast, such as 16, FIG. 1, to which heelassembly 20 is made integral, with heel 25 and glide inserts 21 and 22protruding from the bottom of the cast.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein the same reference numbers designate the samecomponents, is shown still another preferred embodiment of the inventionin the form of a platform or sole assembly 30 in, respectively, a bottomview and a side elevation cross-sectional view. Sole assembly 30includes a plurality of floor-engageable glide inserts, such as 31-36inclusive, of material having a low coefficient of friction (i.e.,having good sliding properties), such as a durable plastic whichadditionally can be easily fabricated and molded, preferably nylon orteflon, with each said glide insert, such as 31, FIG. 5, securelyinserted into or fitted into, but removable from, its suitablyconfigurated individual aperture, such as 37, FIG. 5, of the pluralityof apertures, such as 37-42 inclusive, FIG. 4, of platform or sole 43which is of material of a high coefficient of friction, preferablyrubber, and which has lip or flange 44. Also shown in FIG. 5, in crosssection and partly fragmented, is walking cast 45, with base or bottom46, to which sole assembly 30 is made integral by being positionedwholly within said cast 45, and being affixed thereto, with the bottomsurface of sole 43 and the bottom of glide inserts, 31-36 inclusiveexposed and external of cast 45.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, wherein the same reference numbers designate the samecomponents, is shown yet another preferred embodiment of the inventionin the form of an orthopedic shoe 50, in, respectively, a bottom viewand a side elevation cross-sectional view. Orthopedic shoe 50 includes:a platform or sole 51 of material of high coefficient of friction,preferably rubber, to which is affixed by suitable means at theperiphery thereof means for permitting entry, retention, and, whendesired, release of the cast-bound foot, such as a top 53 of flexiblematerial, preferably canvas, and laces or ties (not shown) connected tosaid top 53. Sole 51 has a plurality of apertures, such as 54-62inclusive, FIG. 6, into which are securely inserted or fitted aplurality of floor-engageable glide inserts, such as 63-71 inclusive,FIG. 6, made of material of a low coefficient of friction, such as adurable plastic which additionally can be easily fabricated and molded,preferably nylon or teflon. The glide inserts, such as 54, FIG. 7, areremovable from their suitably configurated individual apertures, such as63, FIG. 7. The upper surface of sole 51 is, preferably, raised at therear or heel portion 52.

With reference to FIGS. 1-7, inclusive, glide inserts (such as 11, FIG.1; 21 and 22, FIGS. 2 and 3; 31-36 inclusive, FIGS. 4 and 5; and 63-71inclusive, FIGS. 6 and 7) are, individually, preferably in the form of acylinder of two diameters, with a narrower diameter being insertedwholly into the suitably configurated aperture (such as 12, FIG. I) andthe wider diameter protruding a short distance from the bottom of theheel (such as 14, FIG. I, and 25, FIGS. 2 and 3) and from the bottom ofthe platform or sole (such as 43, FIGS. 4 and 5, and 51, FIGS. 6 and 7),with the bottom surface of the wider diameter portion of the glideinsert engaging and making contact with the floor. Although the glideinserts are shown in FIGS. 1-7 to be flat-bottomed, this is by way ofillustration only. The bottom of the glide inserts (such as 11, FIG. 1',21 and 22, FIGS. 2 and 3; 31-36 inclusive, FIGS. 4 and 5; and 63-71inclusive, FIGS. 6 and 7, may be of any suitable shape or form,including the point-contact type.

With reference to FIG. 8, therein is shown in a side elevationcross-sectional view still yet another preferred embodiment of theinvention. The embodiment 80 is a means for permitting self-locomotionby the wearer of a walking-type leg cast by a sliding movement, ratherthan by walking, and includes a retainer 81 of material of a highcoefficient of friction, preferably rubber, for use as a heel, platform,sole, or the like with apertures, such as 82 and 83, having at the upperterminus, such as 84 and 85, a wider diameter to accept and hold a glideinsert, such as 90, made of material of a low coefficient of friction,such as a durable plastic which additionally can be easily fabricatedand molded, preferably nylon or teflon. Each glide insert, such as 90,is configurated in the form of a cylinder of three diameters, with thetwo wider diameters, such as 91 and 92, being at either end and thenarrowest diameter, such as 93, being therebetween. The upper widerdiameter 92 of glide insert 90 fits into the upper terminus, such as 94and 85, of the aperture, such as 82 and 83. The narrowest diameter 93,which is the midportion of glide insert 90, fits into, and is positionedwholly within, the narrow diameter of the aperture. The other widediameter portion 91 of glide insert 90 protrudes a short distance fromthe bottom of retainer 81 and, thereby, engages and makes contact withthe floor. It is to be noted that a glide insert, such as 90, may beremoved from the respective aperture, such as 83, in which it ispositioned, although in use the glide insert is securely fitted into theheld by the mating configuration of the aperture. As in the case of theglide inserts shown in FIGS. l7, the glide insert 90, FIG. 8, need notbe flat-bottom, as shown. The bottom may be of any suitable shape orform, including the point-contact type.

MODE OF OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The operation of each ofthe preferred embodiments is based upon the phenomena that it is easier(i.e., less fatiguing, less awkward, and the like) for an individualhaving a castbound foot to slide on it, rather than to walk on it. Morespecifically, in the embodiments the combination of the low coefficientof friction material glide inserts fitted into a retainer of material ofhigh coefficient of friction with both, or either, of the differentcoefficient of friction materials being simultaneously floor-engageableat the option of the user, permits a controlled sliding motion, ratherthan walking, which is a new and unexpected result not heretoforecontemplated in the art.

Embodiments 10, FIG. I, and 20, FIGS. 2 and 3, are affixed by and duringthe molding of the foot cast, such as 16, FIG. I, to the bottom 18, FIG.1, of the cast 16. More specifically, the lower surface of the flangedportion, such as 15, FIG. I, of heel 13, FIG. I, and 27, FIGS. 2 and 3,ofheel 25, FIGS. 2 and 3, is made .to abut with the upper surface of thebottom 18 of cast 16, FIG. I. Each of these two embodiments (heelassembly 10, FIG. 1, and heel assembly 20, FIGS. 2 and 3) are madeintegral to the cast, such as 16, FIG. I, while the cast is beingmolded. The heel of each embodiment, such as 13, FIG. 1, and 25, FIGS. 2and 3, with the glide insert(s), such as 11, FIG. 1, and 21 and 22, FIG.2 in heel apertures, such as 12, FIG. 1, and 23 and 24, FIGS. 2 and 3,is made to protrude from the bottom of the cast. The specific positionof the heel embodiment, such as 10, FIG. I, and 20, FIGS. 2 and 3, atthe bottom 18 of the cast 16, FIGS. 1, and the location of the heelaperture(s) with the glide insert(s), is dependent upon, and determinedby, the 20, position and location which will permit easy sliding motionof the glide insert(s) and, yet, will result in sufficient braking forcefrom the rubber heel, such as 13, FIG. 1, with its serrated base, suchas 14, FIG. 1, to stop unchecked sliding, in the unlikely event thatthat should occur. The individual with a cast embodying our invention,as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, merely slides his cast-bound foot on theglide insert(s), such as 11, FIG. 1, and 21 and 22, FIGS. 2 and 3,rather than lifting and then lowering the cast-bound foot, as he woulddo if he were using a walking movement. Nevertheless, the individualmay, should he desire to do so, walk with the cast, rather than usingthe intended sliding movement. In fact, since the glide inserts areremovable for replacement and the like, they may be removed in aparticular instance, if the removal facilitates walking.

Embodiment 30, FIGS. 4 and 5, which is our invention in the form of aplatform or sole assembly, is inserted in the cast, such as 45, FIG. 5;and, as the bottom, such as 46, FIG. 5, of the cast is being molded tothe wearer's foot, the entire sole assembly 30, except for the bottomportion thereof, is covered with plaster. Thereby, embodiment 30 isbuilt into, and made integral to, the cast, but with the bottom surfaceof platform or sole 43 and the bottom surface of glide inserts 31-36inclusive exposed and external of the cast, so as to befloor-engageable. In this platform-type or sole-type embodiment 30 ofthe invention, as is in the case of the heel-type embodiments I0 and 20shown in FIGS. 1-3 inclusive, the individual wearer merely slides hiscast-bound foot on the glide inserts, rather than lifting and thenlowering his cast-bound foot, as he would do if he were using a walkingmovement. He may elect, however, to walk, rather than to use a slidingmotion; and, additionally, he may remove the glide inserts, if suchremoval would assist him in walking. As a related matter, configurationof the glide inserts, although already discussed in part, will befurther discussed in describing the modification shown in FIG. 8.

Embodiment 50, FIGS. 6 and 7, which is in the form of an orthopedicshoe, may be used to encase a cast-bound foot, or to encase an injuredfoot when normal walking would be too much strain. The individual slipsor inserts his foot, which may or may not be in a cast, into the shoe50, FIG. 6, through an appropriate opening and retaining means, such ascanvas top or uppers 53 having laces or ties (not shown). The wearer ofembodiment 50 merely slides his encased foot on the glide inserts, suchas 63-71 inclusive, of the shoe, rather than using a walking movement.The raised heel 52, FIG. 7, improves the sliding motion; and,additionally, prevents the glide inserts, such as 63-71 inclusive, frompressing into the wearers heel, which is of particular importance if thewearer has an injured foot which is not in a cast. Ifa walking, ratherthan a sliding, movement is desired, the glide inserts may be removedfrom the apertures, such as 54-62 inclusive, FIG. 6. As in the case ofembodiment 30, FIGS. 4 and 5, the configuration of the glide insertswill be further discussed in describing the modification in FIG. 8.

Embodiment 80, FIG. 8, shows the configuration of a glide insert 90 andof the respective aperture 83 which may be advantageously used inembodiment 30, the sole assembly, FIGS. 4 and 5, and in embodiment 50,the orthopedic shoe, FIGS. 6 and 7. In those two aforementionedembodiments, it may be necessary for the wearer's comfort to keep theglide insertion length short, or to have a very thick platform or sole.Under these or similar circumstances, a glide insert and apertureconfigurated, respectively, as 90 and 83 may be advisable to prevent theloss of a glide insert, although such a loss is so remote as to beunlikely. Nevertheless, at the risk of being overcautious in theinterest of the wearers safety, a wide diameter portion 92, in thenature of a flange, of glide insert 90 insures positive retention andwould alleviate any apprehensions, real or otherwise, of the loss of aglide insert configurated as shown in FIGS. 1-7, inclusive.

While there has been shown and described the fundamental features of ourinvention, as applied to particular embodiments, it is to be understoodthat this is by way of illustration only and is not intended as alimitation, and that various substitutions and omissions may be made bythose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of theinvention. For example, the configuration of the glide inserts, thenumber of glide inserts used, the relative spacing from each other, themeans by which they are retained, and the positioning of the glideinserts in the retaining means may be varied to provide the slidingmovement which is most beneficial to the wearer of the embodiment,depending upon the particular foot, ankle, and leg injury which resultedin the foot being cast-bound. Additionally, embodiment 50, FIG. 7, couldbe in the form of a boot, a moccasin, a loafer, a slipper, and the like,rather than in the form of a conventional shoe.

What we claim is:

I. An orthopedic shoe, to encase a cast-bound foot, and to encase aninjured foot when normal walking would be too much strain, comprising:

a. a rubber sole having a raised heel portion said rubber sole having aplurality of apertures in the bottom thereof;

. a plurality of floor-engageable glide inserts, equal in number to thenumber of the aforesaid plurality of apertures, with each said glideinsert of material having a low coefficient of friction, and with eachsaid glide insert being configurated in the form of a cylinder of twodiameters, the larger of which forms a wide bottom portion, and thenarrower diameter portion forming the upper portion of said glide whichis inserted wholly into an aperture of said plurality of apertures suchthat the wider diameter protrudes a short distance from the bottom ofsaid rubber sole, said glide insert mating with and being removable fromits aperture;

and, means for selectively permitting insertion retension,

and release of the foot.

2. The assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means forattaching said components to a foot of a human wearer comprises a footcast having a rigid shell ofa shape to encompass at least a portion of afoot and having a foot-bottom, said foot-bottom being suitablyconfigurated to accept and hold said assembly in such a manner that thelower surface of said component of a material of high coefficient offriction, and the protruding portion of said component of material of alow coefficient of friction, are exposed and floor-engageable.

3. An assembly for permitting self-locomotion by a wearer ofawalking-type leg cast by a sliding movement, including:

a. a leg cast having a rigid shell of a shape to encompass at least aportion of the lower portion of a leg and having a foot-bottom;

b. at least one floor-engageable glide insert, of material of a lowcoefficient of friction, said insert having a shank portion and anenlarged head portion at one end;

c. and, a retainer for said glide insert, of material of a highcoefficient of friction, with said retainer having a bottom with atleast one aperture, with the aperture configurated to accept and holdthe shank of said glide insert;

with said glide insert fitted into the aperture and having the headportion protruding a short distance from the bottom of said retainer,and with said retainer being affixed to the foot-bottom of thewalking-type leg cast, with the bottom of said retainer and theprotruding portion of said glide insert being floor-engageable.

4. The assembly, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said glide insert isof nylon 5. The assembly, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said glideinsert is of teflon.

6. The assembly, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said glide insert isconfigurated in the form of a cylinder of two diameters, with thenarrower diameter inserted wholly into the aperture and with the widerdiameter at the bottom of said glide insert.

7. The assembly, as set forth in claim 3 wherein said glide insert isconfigurated in the form of a cylinder of three diameters, with the twowider diameters being at either end and the narrowest diameter beingtherebetween, and with one of the wider diameters and the narrowestdiameter inserted wholly into the aperture and with the other of thewider diameters at the bottom of said glide insert.

8. The assembly, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said glide insert isflat-bottomed at the protruding portion thereof.

9. The assembly, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said retainer is ofrubber.

10. The assembly, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the bottom of saidretainer is serrated.

II. The assembly, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the bottom of saidretainer is in form of a heel.

12. The assembly, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the bottom of saidretainer is in the form of a sole.

13. A heel assembly for use with a walking-type leg cast, comprising:

a. heel of a material having a high coefficient of friction, and heelhaving a flange at its top and having an aperture at its bottom, saidflange being capable of being affixed to the bottom of a walking-typeleg cast;

b. and, a floor-engageable glide insert of material having a lowcoefficient of friction, with said glide having a bottom and, inrelation to said bottom, a narrower shank upper portion adapted to matewith said aperture, and with said glide inserted into, and beingremovable from, said aperture at the bottom of said rubber heel.

14. A heel assembly, as set forth in claim 13, wherein saidfloor-engageable glide insert is of nylon.

15. A heel assembly, as set forth in claim 13, wherein saidfloor-engageable glide insert is of teflon.

16. A heel assembly, as set forth in claim 13, wherein saidfloor-engageable glide insert is configurated in the form of a cylinderof two diameters, with the narrower diameter in' serted wholly into saidaperture at the bottom of said heel, and with the wider diameterprotruding a short distance from the said bottom of said heel.

17. A heel assembly for a walking-type leg cast, comprising:

a. a walking-type leg cast having a rigid shell of a shape to encompassat least a portion of a leg and foot;

b. rubber heel with a flanged top and an uneven bottom, with said bottomhaving a plurality of apertures therein, and with said flanged topaffixed, and made integral, to the bottom of the foot portion of thewalking-type leg cast;

c. and, a plurality of floor-engageable glide inserts, equal in numberto the number of the foresaid plurality of apertures, with each saidglide insert of material having a low coefficient of friction, and witheach said glide insert having a flat bottom and, in relation to saidbottom, a narrower upper portion, and with each said glide insertinserted into, and removable from, an aperture of the aforesaidplurality of apertures.

18. A heel assembly, as set forth in claim 17, wherein each of saidplurality of floor-engageable glide inserts is of nylon.

19. A heel assembly, as set forth in claim 17, wherein each of saidplurality of floor-engageable glide inserts is of teflon.

20. A heel assembly, as set forth in claim 17, wherein each of saidplurality of floor-engageable glide inserts is configurated in the formof a cylinder of two diameters, with the narrower diameter insertedwholly into an aperture of the aforesaid plurality of apertures, andwith the wider diameter protruding a short distance from the said unevenbottom of said rubber heel.

21. A sole assembly for walking-type leg cast, comprising:

a. a walking-type leg cast having a rigid shell adapted to encompass atleast a portion of a leg and foot;

b. a rubber sole with a flanged top and a plurality of apertures in thebottom, with said rubber sole built into, and

made integral to, the bottom of the walking-type leg cast, but with thebottom of said rubber sole exposed and external of the bottom of thewalking-type leg cast;

c. and, a plurality of floor-engageable glide inserts, equal in numberto the number of the aforesaid plurality of apertures, with each saidglide insert of material having a low coefficient of friction, and witheach said glide insert having a flat bottom and, in relation to saidbottom, a narrower upper portion, and with each said glide insertinserted into, and removable from, an aperture of the aforesaidplurality of apertures.

22. A sole assembly, as set forth in claims 21, wherein each of saidplurality of floor-engageable glide inserts is of nylon.

23. A sole assembly, as set forth in claim 21, wherein each of saidplurality of floor engageable glide inserts is of teflon.

24. A sole assembly, as set forth in claim 21, wherein each of saidplurality of floor-engageable glide inserts is configurated in the formof a cylinder of two diameters, with the narrower diameter insertedwholly into an aperture of the aforesaid plurality of apertures, andwith the wider diameter protruding a short distance from the bottom ofsaid rubber sole.

1. An orthopedic shoe, to encase a cast-bound foot, and to encase aninjured foot when normal walking would be too much strain, comprising:a. a rubber sole having a raised heel portion said rubber sole having aplurality of apertures in the bottom thereof; b. a plurality offloor-engageable glide inserts, equal in number to the number of theaforesaid plurality of apertures, with each said glide insert ofmaterial having a low coefficient of friction, and with each said glideinsert being configurated in the form of a cylinder of two diameters,the larger of which forms a wide bottom portion, and the narrowerdiameter portion forming the upper portion of said glide which isinserted wholly into an aperture of said plurality of apertures suchthat the wider diameter protrudes a short distance from the bottom ofsaid rubber sole, said glide insert mating with and being removable fromits aperture; and, means for selectively permitting insertion retension,and release of the foot.
 2. The assembly, as set forth in claim 1,wherein said means for attaching said components to a foot of a humanwearer comprises a foot cast having a rigid shell of a shape toencompass at least a portion of a foot and having a foot-bottom, saidfoot-bottom being suitably configurated to accept and hold said assemblyin such a manner that the lower surface of said component of a materialof high coefficient of friction, and the protruding portion of saidcomponent of material of a low coefficient of friction, are exposed andfloor-engageable.
 3. An assembly for permitting self-locomotion by awearer of a walking-type leg cast by a sliding movement, including: a. aleg cast having a rigid shell of a shape to encompass at least a portionof the lower portion of a leg and having a foot-bottom; b. at least onefloor-engageable glide insert, of material of a low coefficient offriction, said insert having a shank portion and an enlarged headportion at one end; c. and, a retainer for said glide insert, ofmaterial of a high coefficient of friction, with said retainer having abottom with at least one aperture, with the aperture configurated toaccept and hold the shank of said glide insert; with said glide insertfitted into the aperture and having the head portion protruding a shortdistance from the bottom of said retainer, and with said retainer beingaffixed to the foot-bottom of the walking-type leg cast, with the bottomof said retainer and the protruding portion of said glide insert beingfloor-engageable.
 4. The assembly, as set forth in claim 3, wherein saidglide insert is of nylon
 5. The assembly, as set forth in claim 3,wherein said glide insert is of teflon.
 6. The assembly, as set forth inclaim 3, wherein said glide insert is configurated in the form of acylinder of two diameters, with the narrower diameter inserted whollyinto the aperture and with the wider diameter at the bottom of saidglide insert.
 7. The assembly, as set forth in claim 3 wherein saidglide insert is configurated in the form of a cylinder of threediameters, with the two wider diameters being at either end and thenarrowest diameter being therebetween, and with one of the widerdiameters and the narrowest diameter inserted wholly into the apertureand with the other of the wider diameters at the bottom of said glideinsert.
 8. The assembly, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said glideinsert is flat-bottomed at the protruding portion thereof.
 9. Theassembly, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said retainer is of rubber.10. The assembly, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the bottom of saidretainer is serrated.
 11. The assembly, as set forth in claim 3, whereinthe bottom of said retainer is in form of a heel.
 12. The assembly, asset forth in claim 3, wherein the bottom of said retainer is in the formof a sole.
 13. A heel assembly for use with a walking-type leg cast,comprising: a. heel of a material having a high coefficient of friction,and heel having a flange at its top and having an aperture at itsbottom, said flange being capable of being affixed to the bottom of awalking-type leg cast; b. and, a floor-engageable glide insert ofmaterial having a low coefficient of friction, with said glide having abottom and, in relation to said bottom, a narrower shank upper portionadapted to mate with said aperture, and with said glide inserted into,and being removable from, said aperture at the bottom of said rubberheel.
 14. A heel assembly, as set forth in claim 13, wherein saidfloor-engageable glide insert is of nylon.
 15. A heel assembly, as setforth in claim 13, wherein said floor-engageable glide insert is ofteflon.
 16. A heel assembly, as set forth in claim 13, wherein saidfloor-engageable glide insert is configurated in the form of a cylinderof two diameters, with the narrower diameter inserted wholly into saidaperture at the bottom of said heel, and with the wider diameterprotruding a short distance from the said bottom of said heel.
 17. Aheel assembly for a walking-type leg cast, comprising: a. a walking-typeleg cast having a rigid shell of a shape to encompass at least a portionof a leg and foot; b. rubber heel with a flanged top and an unevenbottom, with said bottom having a plurality of apertures therein, andwith said flanged top affixed, and made integral, to the bottom of thefoot portion of the walking-type leg cast; c. and, a plurality offloor-engageable glide inserts, equal in number to the number of theforesaid plurality of apertures, with each said glide insert of materialhaving a low coefficient of friction, and with each said glide inserthaving a flat bottom and, in relation to said bottom, a narrower upperportion, and with each said glide insert inserted into, and removablefrom, an aperture of the aforesaid plurality of apertures.
 18. A heelassembly, as set forth in claim 17, wherein each of said plurality offloor-engageable glide inserts is of nylon.
 19. A heel assembly, as setforth in claim 17, wherein each of said plurality of floor-engageableglide inserts is of teflon.
 20. A heel assembly, as set forth in claim17, wherein each of said plurality of floor-engageable glide inserts isconfigurated in the form of a cylinder of two diameters, with thenarrower diameter inserted wholly into an aperture of the aforesaidplurality of apertures, and with the wider diameter protruding a shortdistance from the said uneven bottom of said rubber heel.
 21. A soleassembly for walking-type leg cast, comprising: a. a walking-type legcast having a rigid shell adapted to encompass at least a portion of aleg and foot; b. a rubber sole with a flanged top and a plurality ofapertures in the bottom, with said rubber sole built into, and madeintegral to, the bottom of the walking-type leg cast, but with thebottom of said rubber sole exposed and external of the bottom of thewalking-type leg cast; c. and, a plurality of floor-engageable glideinserts, equal in number to the number of the aforesaid plurality ofapertures, with each said glide insert of material having a lowcoefficient of friction, and with each said glide insert having a flatbottom and, in relation to said bottom, a narrower upper portion, andwith each said glide insert inserted into, and removable from, anaperture of the aforesaid plurality of apertures.
 22. A sole assembly,as set forth in claims 21, wherein each of said plurality offloor-engageable glide inserts is of nylon.
 23. A sole assembly, as setforth in claim 21, wherein each of said plurality of floor engageableglide inserts is of teflon.
 24. A sole assembly, as set forth in claim21, wherein each of said plurality of floor-engageable glide inserts isconfigurated in the form of a cylinder of two diameters, with thenarrower diameter inserted wholly into an aperture of the aforesaidplurality of apertures, and with the wider diameter protruding a shortdistance from the bottom of said rubber sole.